Connecticut western news., 1887-03-16
CANAAN, CONN.,, WEDNESDAY. MARCH 1e 18s7
ROARING RAID.

A DARING RAID. A Thrilling Episode of the Civil
 War Retold.
 How the Mitch,ll Raiders Undertook a
 Desperate Job and Failed.
 A chapter of the war, one of the most thrilling and pathetic stories of adven- ture ever written, is revived in report made to the last House of Representa- tives, by the committee on pensions. The bill on which the report is founded was to extend the provisions of a certain act granting an increase of pension to the only survivors of the Mitchell raid-- CTS. In April, 1862, General o. M. Mitchell had advanced his column as far south as Shelbyville, Tenn. On the west the battle of Shiloh had just been determined in favor of the Union arms. At the east Mcclellan was threatening an advance upon Richmond. Opposed to these two armies the South had con- centrated their full strength. The importance of seizing and holding Chat tanooga as strategic point on the great railroad line between the east and west was deemed vital. The Mitchell raid- ers," body of men twenty one in mum ber under command of J. Andrews, were selected by General Mitchell to undertake the desperate enterprise of penetrating 900 miles south into tho heart of tho enemy's country to endeavor to destroy the railroad bridges between Chattanooga and Atlanta. If successful this would cut off the advance of troops of the South while Mitchell moved his army down to capture Chattanooga. The soldiers of this forlorn hope, dressed in citizens clothes, set out by twos and threes to meet at Marietta, Ga. Their i plan was to take passage on some north bound train, overpower the guard, seize the engine, and burn bridges and tear | up tracks behind them as they dashed | along.
 The first part of the programme was successful. While the train was stopped for breakfast, leaving the engine un- guarded, at Q signal the raiders, who had bought tickets and been travel ing as ordinary passengers, sprang into tho cab, pulled the valve open, and drew out with an engine, tender and three cars. A few moments placed the ex- ulting party beyond any seeming danger of successful pursuit, because there was no telegraph and no other engine at hand. Unf fortunately, however, Mitchelrs ad- vance had alarmed the Southerners and the rolling stock about Chattanooga had been ordered South, out of danger. The forlorn hope on the captured train were met by these trains. Andrews, in charge of the party, represented himself as a Confederate officer who had impressed the train for military purposes, and he succeeded in allaying all suspicion, but was compelled to wait many minutes, losing precious time, while extra trains were passing. The conductor of the captured train was man of great action and energy, and without waiting for his breakfast, he stdrted out on foot in pur- suit. By some evil fate he reached c hand-car, and after travelling while succeeded in getting locomotive from private track. When the raiders dls. covered that they were being pursued, : desperate chase ensued, preventing tho slightest chance for any destructive work. After run of 100 miles, the captured locomotive had to be aban- doned, while the Union soldiers scat tered through the woods.
 The pursuit was relentless, and tht whole party was captured after enduring terrible sufferings. They were denounced as spies, chained together by twos by the neck, and thrust into dungeon ir Chattanooga. The twenty one me1 were confined for three weeks in a, apartment thirteen feet square, without the slightest accommodation and with but scant provision. When released for trial from the dark and noisom, prison cell they were so blinded by thu light of day that for hours they could not sec. Andrews, the leader, wa: hanged as a spy. The rest were removed to Atlanta, where several more wer hanged as spies. One man was givel 100 lashes on his bare back and the bal ance were put back into prison. At th end of six months several had died, ant after eleven months the few survivors were released by exchange. The extra ordinary enterprise in which these mel engaged, the dangers they incurred an, their gallantry and devotion to th Union cause entitled them to recogni ton. All but four of them are receivin, pensions under the general law. Tn others provided for by the bill ar William Knight, Jacob Parrott, William Reddick and John Whollom. Chicag Herald.
 Birthplace of Abraham.
 Not far from Aleppo is situated tn